Getting Motivated

Everyone, regardless of background or aspiration, knows the struggle of “motivation” - or finding the energy to take action, especially when it comes to a new personal, non-urgent pursuit.

If we need to do something for work, then that takes priority.

If we need to do something for a family member or close friend, then that takes priority.

If we had a long week and feel like watching our shows, then that takes priority.

Shoot, if something weird or dramatic happens during the day that is out of the ordinary, then recovering from THAT can take priority.

Basically, we often will go out of our way to rationalize why now is NOT the right time to start on something.

Getting motivated - especially in a world full of highly trained distractions - is one of the daily mental challenges that almost all humans share.

So how do some people stay motivated and others don’t?

First, let’s be clear about the problem we are trying to actually solve for ourselves.

Often when we talk about challenges with motivation, what we are really talking about is conquering that moment of decision.

And our goal is to just get started.

When you are sitting there deciding between doing what you normally do versus doing what you have told yourself you want to do.

It’s during those moments that the rationalizations I rattled off above really take hold.

So what can you do?

Let’s start with what the research says.

Last week, we explored James Clear’s frameworks for building new habits where motivation is also key.

According to Clear, motivation comes down to the right level of difficulty of the task itself - what he refers to as the Goldilocks Rule.

"The Goldilocks Rule states that humans experience peak motivation when working on tasks that are right on the edge of their current abilities."

So when you are trying to get started, try to establish what exactly you are going to do - and make sure it challenges you just enough.

He goes on to say that “the greatest threat to success is not failure, but boredom.”

Pushing yourself a little further is what keeps your mind engaged and stimulated.

So when you feel a little vulnerable or outside your comfort zone, know that this is what growth feels like!

I found Clear’s thoughts on motivation super helpful - but also a bit incomplete.

We still need ways to win at that moment of decision.

This is where framing comes in.

How we think about pursuits also has an enormous impact on our level of motivation.

Most of us think about our new pursuits or desired habits at too high a level.

If you want to start working out, you think about how long it is going to take to get the level of fitness you want - and how hard it is going to feel.

If you want to start writing a book, you think about how great the final version could be - and how silly the first sentences and pages are going to feel.

If you want to start a business, you think about how awesome it will be to run your own large company and get rich - and how scary sharing your idea with other people is going to feel.

When you are starting something new and in the moment, it is critical to start small.

Make your initial goals bite-sized.

Because the goal today isn’t actually to achieve those long-term aspirations.

The goal today is to just get started.

Write a 3 sentences on your phone about a theme you want to explore in your book.

Do 20 squats while you are watching the TV.

Google the problem you want to solve with a product for 5 minutes.

The goal is to get moving and start stacking consistent wins.

Extra emphasis on consistent.

Anyone can do something a few times while it feels novel.

But what we want is bigger - and consistency is what is required.

Motivation is fleeting. We also need dedication.